Tuesday, May 22, 2007

LOS ANGELES -- One day after juggling the batting order, the Dodgers are about to juggle their roster by promoting infielder Tony Abreu from Triple-A Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old Abreu, who has been rotated defensively at third base, shortstop and second base, was batting .347 for Las Vegas, and his 35 runs scored in 39 games was second in the Pacific Coast League. He hit his second home run on Monday night.

The switch-hitting Abreu batted .340 in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee and emerged as a potential candidate to eventually replace 39-year-old second baseman Jeff Kent. Originally signed as a shortstop, he had been exclusively a second baseman until this year.

There was no confirmation from the club on Abreu's promotion or which player would be moved off the roster to make room.

Glad to see more of the kids getting a chance. There's more where Abreu came from....

According to the roster on dodgers.com, it appears infielder Tony Abreu has had his contract purchased to make his major league debut while struggling reliever Hong-Chih Kuo was optioned to Class AAA Las Vegas. A star this spring, Abreu can play the middle infield positions and some third base. He would take over the 40-man roster spot vacated by Wilson Valdez.